One of Those "Peek Into My Life" Posts...

You can count on summer to provide ample opportunity for appreciating life's simple joys. In general, I tend to value experiences, and if it came down to spending my own money, I'd rather pay for a delicious meal or tickets to see a play or musical than buy a new dress. I have a great memory, and I relish in reflecting back on certain scenes from the experiences I've had, mundane and extraordinary. That's not to say that I'm impervious to the happiness that material goods can bring, contrary to the fact that in 8th grade, as part of my school's IB program, I wrote a paper about consumerism and its negative ramifications. I'll admit it: I love my stuff. Your clothing, the furnishings in your room, and even the books you read reflect who you are as a person, the nuances that make you you. Thus, I'll take a few minutes to expound upon some recent purchases I'm particularly smitten with. Here, take a peek...

  

Jonathan Adler for Barnes & Noble Ampersand Bookends: My mom spotted these vibrant ampersand bookends just as we were about to leave the store. I've admired Jonathan Adler's designs since I saw them for the first time, and I can never force myself to walk past the display table at B&N without perusing the newest stock of items. I've been looking for a cute pair of bookends for a while. At school, all the books on my desk have a tendency to fall over if they aren't balanced just so. In the meantime, while I'm at home, I thought I'd put these fanciful-meets-practical desk accessories to use, while simultaneously showing off my latest library haul (and the book covers just happen to match my bedspread!).

   

A Trio of Comfy T-Shirts from Target: When I was at Target the other day, I couldn't resist picking up these t-shirts. They were all on sale and are quite comfortable. I'm a big fan of striped shirts. Two years ago at Target, I bought a magenta shirt with white stripes. Another favorite is a navy-and-white striped Land's End t-shirt that I actually bought to wear as part of a Halloween costume (I was a French girl). Both of these shirts have become a bit worn out, since I wear them so often. I figured my wardrobe could use some fresh stripes. Plus, the new shirts are v-necks. As for the blue-green "Sea Island" shirt—I found it in the men's department when I was helping my mom shop for my cousin. I imagine it will become a new favorite sleep shirt or lounge shirt.

 

Graphique Paris and New York Notecards: HomeGoods (and on a similar note, Marshall's and T.J. Maxx) are like Forrest's famed box of chocolates. You never know what discounted wonders you'll discover inside. I've picked up the bargain-hunting habit from my mom (though I usually just tag along when she goes). I found these beautiful notecards in the stationary/notebook aisle. Since I love all things French and go to school in New York, I couldn't resist. Plus, I want to get in the habit of writing hand-written notes and thank-yous more often. What better excuse to pick up a pen than having these cheerful cards handy?

When It Rains: A Survival Guide

It's been an abnormally rainy June, and all that dreary weather can make anyone feel, well, blah. Whether you're stuck indoors all day, or you have someplace to be (work, an internship, a family gathering), sometimes you can't help yourself from feeling a little down. It's summer—you should be frolicking in meadows and having picnics, right? While it's normal for seasonal changes to alter our moods, the most common form of seasonal affective disorder manifests in the winter months. However, that's not to say that weather-related mood changes are isolated to when it's cold and snowy outside. I'm far from being an expert on depression or psychology (any knowledge I've gathered has stemmed from reading an article here and there and watching the news when there are medical specialists on for guest segments), but I've felt a bit off lately, and I feel that the weather could be one of the factors. It's easy to get tired of all those torrential downpours and changes in the air pressure, especially when you live in a region with a more temperate climate. Although a look at weather.com informed me that it will be mostly sunny this week, I thought I'd compile a short guide of things to help make the best of those times when you've got the rainy-day blues. (Well, some of these ideas depend on the power remaining on...or on venturing to a market or convenience store if you don't have, say, flowers lying around or gummy candy hiding in the cabinet. )

As they say, laughter is the best medicine. Read the funnies in the newspaper (or find 'em online). Watch your favorite comedy (romantic, slapstick—it's up to you). Tune into The Daily Show or The Colbert Report. Look up clips of old sketches from Saturday Night Live. Google some jokes. Memorize them, and tell them to your friends and family. Have you heard any good jokes lately?

Make origami. (I know most people don't have origami paper handy, but you could always cut construction paper or computer paper.) Look up tutorials online if you don't know how. Create a whole paper menagerie. When you're done, get some string and hang up the animals to make a mobile.

Take out that sketch book you've abandoned. Or some watercolor paper. Or a blank journal. Or computer paper, if that's all you've got at home. Draw or paint whatever comes to mind—beautiful bouquets of flowers, unicorns and dragons and knights, all kinds of sea creatures. Don't worry about how good or bad you may be. Make a series of illustrations and tell a story through pictures. Display your work when you're done.

Paint your nails a funky color. Better yet, do nail art. Make designs—shapes and swirls or Pokémon or fruits and vegetables. Not into nail polish? Look up makeup bloggers'/YouTubers' makeup tutorials and pamper yourself with a makeover. Have you done any cool nail art lately? Have any favorite beauty blogs?

Unleash your inner domestic goddess and bake something scrumptious. It could be that tried and true, fail-proof (but oh-so delicious) Nestle Toll House chocolate chip cookie recipe. Or it could be something new. Why not try a vegan recipe, for a change? (Especially if you aren't a vegan.) Have a recipe you'd like to recommend?

Eat gummies. Not just the classic bears, but sharks, berries, frogs. Or eat whichever kind of candy suits your fancy. Reminisce about childhood candy memories. Was there a certain candy shop you always went to?

Take out your favorite old toys (if you still have them) and play with them like you did when you were a kid. Let your imagination run wild. Act out crazy adventures. Little People, Polly Pockets, Trolls...what were your favorite playthings?

Brighten up your day with fresh flowers. Buy your favorite kind. Smell them. Inhale the familiar scent. Think about planting a garden one of these days, if you haven't started one already.

If you're at home, step outside for a few moments (if there's not a lightning storm). Without an umbrella—you can always change your clothes. Dance around. Sing, if you feel like it. Don't worry about what other people will think.

After an exhilarating experience in the rain, warm up with a cup of your favorite tea. Green. Chamomile. Mint. What kind do you prefer? Sit down in a comfy chair, open up a book or a magazine, and sip your tea.

...Or, if you don't have anywhere to be, stay in bed for a while. Stay in bed for the whole day, if you feel like it. Grab that book you were reading or the one you kept meaning to finish, or crack open a new one. Luxuriate in feeling cozy. Do you have a favorite rainy-day ritual?

All images found on Tumblr.

What I'm Into at the Moment (Plus A Musing)

It's always great to take stock of what makes you happy. However,  interests can be fleeting, by nature of the fact that we're exposed to a variety of ideas (online articles and intellectual properties, for instance) and material goods on a daily basis via social media and our friends and family. The point is, it's okay if we're quixotic when it comes to what captures our imagination or appeals to our sense of beauty. As I was recently flipping through my journal, I came across an entry that I wrote a few months ago in which I discussed why I found the concept of moments inherently appealing. I described how a moment can span a few seconds, or even a few years (a moment in our lives). Therefore, moment can be used in place of period, i.e. this is what I loved during this period of time, this is who I was back then.

We often fear time. We worry about it running out or escaping us, about wasting what we view as such an invaluable resource. What ultimately matters, though, is how we fill our time. What occupies our hours? If we find that what we're doing is fulfilling or enriching, it is not a waste. This is a concept that I have struggled to accept. It's easy to get caught up in comparing yourself to others, to berate yourself for "not doing enough." Considering that my interests tend toward the creative (read: writing), I often take time to brainstorm ideas before rolling up my sleeves and delving into the creative process. Although writers find ways to procrastinate, to put off practicing their craft for fear of not being good enough, it can help in the long run if I gather my thoughts beforehand, so I don't find myself staring at an intimidatingly blank Word document. While many are proponents of "being in the moment" and "focusing on the now," sometimes it is beneficial to take a moment out of our hectic schedules to partake in the art of list-making. Writing down the thoughts that are clouding up our minds—even if they are positive—can be refreshing. There is something satisfying about seeing the tangibility of the ink or pencil on paper. Although it's not the most cheerful analogy, you could view paper as a cage for your thoughts, a means to capture and display what you're thinking. Whether I jot down ideas for a novel or take a few minutes to appreciate what brings a smile to my face at this point in the year, at this specific point in my life, the process is fulfilling because it brings me joy. The lists remind me of where I've been—and where I'm going.

On that note, here is a list of what I'm lovin' at the moment:

Foxes (photographs, artwork, and clothes, oh my)...

 

Fresh berries (plain, on pancakes, in cereal)...

Honey (I love spooning it onto my Greek yogurt)...

Clouds (ideal to stare off into when daydreaming)...

Quirky, whimsical pictures...

Cute boxes and tins (for cookies, candy, or knickknacks)...

 

What do you love right now?

Images all found on Tumblr.

The Return: A Resolution of Sorts

I know I've been away from this blog for almost a year. The thing is, even though at some points I was at a loss about what direction I should take it in, the idea of having a "happiness" blog and a place to keep tabs on whatever trends I am into still appeals to me. It didn't hurt that a friend recently pointed out that I've mixed in some sage wisdom along with the happy, happy, joy, joy stuff. Although I've explored other media platforms, being the indecisive person that I am, I couldn't pick a favorite. Prior to creating a Blogger account, I made my Tumblr, which I have primarily used as a place to amass (aka reblog) visual loveliness and express a musing or mundane thought here and there. The reason I made this blog to begin with was as a project for the creative writing class I took during my junior year of high school. Of course, now that I have a year of college behind me, that feels like a lifetime ago! What I'm getting at is the fact that I want to return to this blog, even if I only post when the whim strikes rather than on a regular basis. I've also dabbled in Wordpress, creating a blog on which to post longer, editorial-style pieces (600+ words). Yet the image-oriented format I've been using on here has its merits too. Sometimes I'm not in the mood to write a longer piece and just want to write something short and peppy, accompanied by lovely pictures.

College is teeming with opportunities to explore the facets of your identity, especially when you go to school in a big city—so many places to see (from neighborhoods to museums) and interests to indulge (from journalism to flute-playing). For instance,in the course of the year, I've learned about independence (here I'm not just referring to the absence of parental authority, but the fact that I went by myself to interview people for the college daily, for example), discovered new bands, made memories over cappuccino. In turn, I seek to express the various aspects of myself through the different media platforms I use. After all, my 11th-grade self thought it would be apropos to make the blog title on here "My Voice" in Latin. (English was too mainstream, huh?) Essentially, I've come to realize, ever so slowly, that it is possible to reconcile the many sides of the decagon that is my identity. I can be girly. I can be pensive. Ecstatic. Moody. While freedom can be overwhelming, especially when it comes to social media, there is beauty in the open-endedness of it. In other words, if I feel that I'm being placed in a box, it's a box of my own invention, a reflection of how I think others perceive me. How others sees me should never inhibit me from discovering what truly fascinates and inspires me. People are complex creatures, and I'm willing to investigate what kind of person I am by engrossing myself wholeheartedly in what I'm passionate about.

So...what are you passionate about? How do you define yourself?

Images all found on Tumblr.

What I Love Lately: Handbag Edition

While perusing the handbag section of Nordstrom on Friday, I learned that the fall lines were released early as part of a "pre-sale" (which goes until August 5th). My mom may be the real handbag-lover in the family, but it was hard not to be captivated by the new color schemes. Okay, so I might have enjoyed the browsing experience from more of an aesthetic point of view...but who doesn't love getting a new accessory every now and then?

COACH.

Dooney and Bourke.

Tory Burch.

Longchamp.

Longchamp.

What trends have been inspiring you lately? What colors are you excited about?

7 Ways to Be A Better (More Focused) Writer

 

I've started working on a novel. I've always loved the art of the written word. When I was 10, I began to write short screenplays about a teenage spy named Agent Tree (I think I picked the surname Tree because Bush was president at the time...who knows). My current desire to write was in part spurred by JulNoWriMo (cousin to NaNoWriMo), in which writers across the nation attempt to write a 50,000-word (175-page) story in 30 days. Naturally, the event is more than a little intimidating. I have yet to make an account on the JulNo website, which can be used to track how many words you are up to, because I prefer to work at my own pace. However, without the website to keep me focused, I haven't been writing as frequently as I would like to. Thus, I've compiled a list of ways to be a better, more focused writer. The ideas and suggestions are based on personal experience and the experiences of my friends.

7. Find sources of inspiration and let your creativity flow. Keep a notebook or Word document full of favorite quotations. Relish the beauty of words. Discover new music and record lyrics that let your imagination wander. Create a pin board (real or virtual). Let the visual loveliness aid in unleashing your ideas.

6. Get organized. Keep the inspiring words and images you find near you and begin to freewrite. Don't inhibit yourself. Jot down any idea that comes to you. Brainstorm character names, personalities, and idiosyncrasies and the story's setting(s). 

5. Find your preferred workspace, be it the desk in your bedroom, a table at a coffee shop, or a bench at a park. Write where you are relaxed and your mind is clear.

4. If you can, find a friend who you can share your ideas with. It can be very beneficial to have someone to give you feedback on your work. If possible, find a friend who is a fellow writer and give him or her feedback, as well. Bounce ideas off of each other. Email, text, go out for coffee.

3. Stay inspired - by thinking outside of the box. If you find yourself in need of direction, don't be afraid to be quirky. Dress up as your character and have a photo shoot. Talk as your character and record yourself. Go shopping and ponder what your character would buy.

2. On the other hand, don't be afraid to take a break from writing. Sometimes we can get so caught up in the process that we lose focus. While it can be wonderful to be consumed by ideas, too much creative energy can be dizzying. Take some time to gather your thoughts. Read. Watch a movie. Talk to your writing buddy. Return to your work after a few days (or even a month, if need be).

1. Keep track of your goals (and set realistic goals). The trick is in not overwhelming yourself by being overly ambitious. The words will come. If it helps, continue to freewrite. Plan out chapters (or key plot details, at the least) in bullet format. Work at your own pace. It's not a race; it's about exploring your creative mind.

Dreamy Dorm Ideas

I can't believe I leave for college (New York!) in a month-and-a-half. Therefore, I've been searching the Internet for dorm decor ideas. I know that the spaces won't be that big, so some of these ideas are more in theory, for the *dorm of my dreams*. Regardless of whether or not I'll be able to apply what these examples of decoration inspiration present, I can at least have these lovely ideas in mind. What would your dream dorm look like? (Even if you've already finished college.)

Warm colors make this room cozy.

A comfy reading/studying nook...and the cushions add a splash of color!

DIY lampshades, made from plastic party cups. Pretty neat.

Simplistic coziness, yet the lights/photos add a touch of whimsy.

Excellent way to organize jewelry. Practically wall art.

Love the lights. Ditto, the collage.

Colorful and creative.

Another example of whimsical-meets-comfortable.

Awesome pillows - think of world travel as you go to sleep.

Creative way to hang photos. Decorative, too.